A Local Woman's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph
By: Dan Taylor, L.I.F.E. Inc. Communications Specialist
Suzanne Lee knows the unpredictability of life. The La Plata, Maryland resident lost her husband fourteen years ago to cancer. She was left with their six children to look after with an uncertain future. That is until she got involved in L.I.F.E Inc.
“I especially liked the workers one,” Lee said. “I actually attended a writers workshop at the La Plata Library years ago.”
Multiple programs are available through L.I.F.E. Inc., including the Empowerment program, one of L.I.F.E Inc.’s four pillars to helping live a more independent life.
It was at the La Plata Library where Lee met her boss and L.I.F.E. Inc. Board member, Emily Ferren. Ferren encouraged her to get involved with L.I.F.E. Inc. by volunteering her time. Lee had been going out and doing story time at daycares and schools. It inspired her to give back after retirement.
“We’d also visit homebound seniors who couldn’t come to the library,” Lee said. “Most of those people were very lonely people. I would go in and spend thirty minutes listening to their stories.”
The former teacher says she’s already benefited from the non-profit organization.
“When I got the job (library job) it gave me a reason to get out of bed,” Lee explained. “It was the perfect job. I got to drive around Charles County meeting with these seniors. It saved my life. It gave me some sort of direction. I felt it was something very worthwhile. It was almost like a ministry really.”
It’s Lee’s compassion that exudes confidence when she speaks of those in need. She knows the despair some are feeling, living alone, with few knowing the difficulties of just getting around each day.
“A lot of people are helpers, they just need somebody to help,” Lee said. “People are put into the world to help other people. That’s my basic philosophy of life.”
“I especially liked the workers one,” Lee said. “I actually attended a writers workshop at the La Plata Library years ago.”
Multiple programs are available through L.I.F.E. Inc., including the Empowerment program, one of L.I.F.E Inc.’s four pillars to helping live a more independent life.
It was at the La Plata Library where Lee met her boss and L.I.F.E. Inc. Board member, Emily Ferren. Ferren encouraged her to get involved with L.I.F.E. Inc. by volunteering her time. Lee had been going out and doing story time at daycares and schools. It inspired her to give back after retirement.
“We’d also visit homebound seniors who couldn’t come to the library,” Lee said. “Most of those people were very lonely people. I would go in and spend thirty minutes listening to their stories.”
The former teacher says she’s already benefited from the non-profit organization.
“When I got the job (library job) it gave me a reason to get out of bed,” Lee explained. “It was the perfect job. I got to drive around Charles County meeting with these seniors. It saved my life. It gave me some sort of direction. I felt it was something very worthwhile. It was almost like a ministry really.”
It’s Lee’s compassion that exudes confidence when she speaks of those in need. She knows the despair some are feeling, living alone, with few knowing the difficulties of just getting around each day.
“A lot of people are helpers, they just need somebody to help,” Lee said. “People are put into the world to help other people. That’s my basic philosophy of life.”